10 Essential Questions to Ask When Buying a Car

You’ve scrimped and saved and you’re finally making moves to buy a car.

Congratulations!

But before you go to the dealership and browse, there are some questions you need to know that will help you make the wisest investment.

You need a car that gets you from point A to point B. But you don’t have to pay more than you need to.

Here are 10 essential questions to ask when buying a car!

1. Do You Have a Car That Fits My Needs?

A lot of people preparing to buy a car often focus all their attention on the brand. They want a car that looks good, but they don’t always consider what functions their car should serve.

Here are some questions to ask when buying a car that can help you determine what you need a car for:

Is this my primary car, or secondary?

Do I need this car for work?

Will I need to pack it with a lot of things on a frequent basis?

Figure out what type of car you need and express it to your dealer. The dealership will then be able to find the best car in their lot to suit your needs.

2. Does It Come with Four-Wheel Drive?

Depending on where you live, you may need a car with four-wheel drive.

Four-wheel drive is the safest type of vehicle in any climate. But drivers who live in colder climates where it snows a lot especially need it.

Most cars come with four-wheel drive nowadays. But if you’re buying a used vehicle, you should ask about its drivetrain capabilities.

3. How Long Is the Warranty?

You want your car investment to go far. Otherwise, you could drown in repair costs or wind up paying for a completely new car in a few short years.

Warranty is one of the most important questions to ask when buying a car. It shows you how much trust the manufacturer has in the quality of the vehicle.

If there’s a warranty that almost seems too good to be true, there may be some adverse reasons why.

For example, some extended warranties (7-10 years) may seem ideal. But it could also indicate that there may be underlying problems in the vehicle’s makeup.

Some car manufacturers offer excellent warranties that are longer than usual. On average, most car warranties last up to 3 years, or at least 36,000 miles.

4. What Does the Warranty Cover?

Warranties vary on the automaker and on the vehicles themselves.

Some basic warranties cover a vehicle’s “bumper to bumper” makeup. These are the components of a vehicle that are typically made in factories. They include nearly everything from the front of the car’s bumper to the back.

Powertrain warranties, on the other hand, cover nearly everything that the automakers manufacture. This includes the powertrain, the air conditioning, electrical system, and even the stereo.

Know what a vehicle’s warranty covers before buying. That way you don’t encounter any unwanted surprises in the future when it comes to repairs.

5. What Are Some Common Repairs?

Speaking of repairs. Your dealer should be able to tell you about repair plans for a particular vehicle.

Before asking your dealer, do your own research online. You’ll be able to get a sense of a vehicle’s quality by other people’s experiences.

If you’re buying a used vehicle, your dealer should be able to give you a report on its repair history. If you notice any trends in repairs, you should prepare for the costs.

Or, you should look for a different vehicle altogether if the costs of future repairs will outweigh the initial investment.

If you’re buying used, you should also take a close look at the interior. There may be general wear-and-tear on the seats that you may need to repair yourself.

Look for cigarette burns, rips, and broken seat belts.

Then, ask the dealer about their policy on “buying as you saw it”. Your dealer may do the repairs themselves, or leave that up to you.

But your dealer may suddenly charge you additional fees that weren’t discussed in the negotiation.

Some dealers like to squeeze out as much money as possible. And they will by charging extra for extended warranties, dealer add-ons, and preparation fees.

If you didn’t ask for something like a new paint job or a dealer-installed accessory, then be adamant about not paying for it.

But to avoid confrontation, know these questions to ask when buying a car. That way, you know exactly what you’re paying for and won’t overpay unnecessarily.

For example, the Peugeot 3008 has optional equipment that owners can choose to add on after buying. Learn more about how to extend the base price of this vehicle with add-on features.

7. What Is the Gas Mileage? How Many Miles Are Already on It?

Part of figuring out how much you’ll pay for your vehicle boils down to gas mileage.

Gas guzzlers that don’t get a lot of miles per gallon will cost you more in the long run. But if you want a truck or SUV, and can afford the costs to fuel it, then this may not be an issue for you.

But if you’re on a budget, your goal should be to find a cost-effective car that won’t drain your wallet at the gas pump. Talk to your dealer and express your needs when it comes to gas mileage.

If you’re buying used, one of the first questions to ask when buying a car should be about its mileage. A used car’s mileage will determine how long you’ll drive it before needing to buy a new one.

8. What Other Amenities Does the Vehicle Come With?

Would a satellite radio or a sunroof be the things that sell you on a particular vehicle?

Ask your dealer about the types of amenities that a particular vehicle comes with. It’s not only fun to think about, but these things may also affect the pricing.

Car dealers are salesmen, so they know how to sell you on amenities. Don’t be afraid to put them on the spot and ask them something like: “Why should I buy this car?”

9. Can You Hold the Vehicle While I Make a Decision?

Some dealers will hold the car overnight, for a couple of days, or even up to a couple of weeks while you make a decision.

Buying a car is a big investment, and it’s not always an easy decision. You may even have other cars that you’re considering at other dealerships.

Talk to your dealer about their policy of holding a vehicle. That way you have time to make the best investment decision.

10. Will You Deliver the Vehicle?

Are you buying from a remote dealership that’s 1-2 hours away from your home?

If you are, you’ll probably need to make arrangements to have someone drive you to the dealership so you can pick up your new car. But if the dealership delivers, then you won’t need to worry about that.

Prepare Questions to Ask When Buying a Car

Now that you’re ready to ask the right questions about buying a car, it’s time to do some more research.

Believe it or not, there are more ways to better prepare yourself for buying a vehicle.